Corner bracket, a frame assembly using corner brackets and an aquarium utilizing said frame assembly

ABSTRACT

A frame assembly for an aquarium is disclosed. The frame assembly supports a pair of doors, each enclosed by a door frame, which can slide back and forth on the frame assembly. The frame assembly can be secured to both a front wall and to a pair of sidewalls of an enclosure having an open top. A cover can close the open top to form an aquarium for amphibians.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Divisional patent application of U.S. Ser. No.14/875,913, filed Oct. 6, 2015 and claims priority thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a corner bracket, a frame assembly usingcorner brackets and an aquarium utilizing the frame assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, many variations of fish aquariums exist. They vary in size,shape, design, configuration and materials from which they areconstructed. However, very few aquariums are manufactured to house anamphibian, a lizard or a reptile. Commonly, the owners of such petssimply use a fish aquarium to house their amphibian, turtle, frog,lizard, reptile, etc. By “amphibian” it is meant a cold-blooded,smooth-skinned vertebrate of the class Amphibia that hatches as anaquatic larva with gills and transforms into an adult havingair-breathing lungs; an animal capable of living both on land and inwater. There are more than 4,000 different kinds of amphibians. Membersof this class include frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caeciliansor blindworms. By “lizard” it is meant any of numerous reptiles of thesuborder Sauria or Lacertilia, having a scaly elongated body, movableeyelids, four legs, and a tapering tail. By “turtle” it is meant any ofvarious aquatic or terrestrial reptiles of the order Testudines (orChelonia), having horny toothless jaws and a bony or leathery shell intowhich the head, limbs and tail can be withdrawn inn most species. By‘reptile’ it is meant any of various cold-blooded, usually egg-layingvertebrates of the class Reptilia, such as a snake, having externalcovering of scales or horny plates and breathing by means of lungs.

Typically, the owners of amphibians need to feed live insects to theirpets. Crickets are the most common insect fed to amphibians. By“cricket” it is meant any of various insects of the family Gryllidae,having long antennae and legs adapted to leaping. Because crickets aresmall and mobile, some tend to escape through the open top of a standardfish aquarium when it is used to house an amphibian.

Another disadvantage of using a standard fish aquarium to house anamphibian, a lizard or a reptile is that an aquarium is only open on itstop surface. Ventilation and circulation of fresh air into and out ofthe aquarium is poor. Furthermore, in a fish aquarium, there is no frontdoor so it is harder to insert live food, to remove the amphibian or toclean the aquarium. Since amphibians can live both on land and in water,the aquarium must contain some platform where the amphibian can restwhen it is out of the water. The platform must be located above thewater line. Therefore, the entire aquarium does no need to be watertight.

Now, a corner bracket, a frame assembly using corner brackets, and anaquarium utilizing the frame assembly have been invented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, this invention relates to a corner bracket for securing firstand second hollow frame members together. The corner bracket includes ahollow base member having a top wall, four sidewalls joined to the topwall, and having an open bottom surface. The hollow base member has aheight and has a hollow tube positioned therein which extends parallelto the height. The hollow base member also has a channel with a pair ofparallel walls. Each of the pair of parallel walls is an extension oftwo of the four sidewalls. The channel also has an open top surface andan open end facing away from the hollow base member. Each of theparallel walls of the channel serves as a track for a sliding door. Thecorner bracket also includes a first hollow coupling member projectingupward from the top wall and being integrally formed therewith. Thefirst hollow coupling member has four sidewalls substantially coincidentwith the four sidewalls of the hollow base member. The four sidewallscreate a hollow core in the first hollow coupling member which has anopen upper end. At least one of the four sidewalls of the first hollowcoupling member has a longitudinal groove formed there through and thelongitudinal groove is aligned parallel to the height of the hollow basemember and terminates at the open upper end. The longitudinal grooveallows an expandable adhesive, that is placed in the hollow core, topass there through and contact an inner periphery of the first hollowframe member and hold the first hollow fame member secure to the cornerbracket. The corner bracket further includes a second hollow couplingmember having a pair of sidewalls formed integral with and projectingout from one of the four sidewalls of the hollow base member. The pairof sidewalls terminates at an end wall. The second hollow couplingmember has a transverse partition aligned parallel with the end wall andintegral with and connecting mid-portions of the pair of sidewalls. Thepair of sidewalls extends to and terminates in parallel planes which arenormal to the sidewall of the hollow base member. The transversepartition creates cavities in which an expandable adhesive can be placedand which can contact an inner periphery of the second hollow framemember and hold the second hollow frame member secure to the cornerbracket.

The invention also relates to a frame assembly. The frame assemblyincludes four hollow frame members each having a top wall, a bottom walland a pair of sidewalls joining the top wall to the bottom wall andforming an inner periphery. Each of the four hollow frame members has afirst channel extending upward from the top wall. The first channel hasa pair of spaced apart sidewalls with an open top surface and a pair ofopen ends. At least one of the sidewalls of the first channel is anextension of one of the pair of sidewalls of the hollow frame member.The frame assembly also includes four corner brackets each having ahollow base member with a top wall, four sidewalls joined to the topwall, and having an open bottom surface. The hollow base member has ahollow tube positioned therein and having a height. The hollow tubeextends parallel to the height. The hollow base member includes achannel having a pair of spaced apart walls. Each of the pair of spacedapart walls is an extension of two of the four sidewalls. The channelalso has an open top surface and an open end facing away from the hollowbase member, and each of the pair of spaced apart walls of the channelserves as a track for a sliding door.

The invention further relates to an aquarium which can house anamphibian, a lizard or a reptile. The aquarium has a front wall, a backwall and a pair of sidewalls all extending upward from a bottom wall andbeing secured thereto. The front wall of the aquarium is shorter inheight than the back wall and the pair of sidewalls. The amphibianaquarium also has a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes fourhollow frame members each having a top wall, a bottom wall and a pair ofsidewalls joining the top wall to the bottom wall and forming an innerperiphery. Each of the four hollow frame members has a first channelextending upward from the top wall. The first channel has a pair ofspaced apart sidewalls with an open top surface and a pair of open ends,and each of the pair of spaced apart sidewalls of the first channelserve as a track. The aquarium further has four corner brackets, eachincluding a hollow base member having a top wall, four sidewalls joinedto the top wall, and having an open bottom surface. The hollow basemember has a hollow tube positioned therein and has a height. The hollowtube extends parallel to the height. The hollow base member includes achannel having a pair of spaced apart walls. Each of the pair of spacedapart walls is an extension of two of the four sidewalls. The channelalso has an open top surface and an open end facing away from the hollowbase member, and each of the pair of spaced apart walls of the channelserves as a track. The frame assembly also has an inner surface which issecured to the front wall and to the pair of sidewalls to form anenclosure with an open top. The aquarium further includes a pair ofdoors slidably mounted within the frame assembly. Each of the doors canslide on one of the tracks formed by the pair of sidewalls of the firstchannel and on one of the pair of spaced apart walls of the channel ofthe corner bracket. Lastly, a cover closes the open top of the enclosureto form the aquarium.

The general object of this invention is to provide a corner bracket, aframe assembly using the corner brackets, and an aquarium utilizing theframe assembly. A more specific object of this invention is to provide aframe assembly which combines four hollow frame members with four cornerbrackets.

Another object of this invention is to provide a corner bracket whichcan be used to construct a frame assembly in which a pair of door canslide.

A further object of this invention is to provide a frame assembly whichcan be adhesively secured to an enclosure to form an aquarium foramphibians.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a frame assemblywhich will prevent insects from escaping through a pair of doorsslidably positioned therein.

Still further, an object of this invention is to provide and economicalframe assembly which does not require the two hollow frame members to benotched.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent to those skilled in the art in view of the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a corner bracket.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the corner bracket shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the corner bracket shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the corner bracket shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the corner bracket shown inFIG. 1 rotated 180 degrees.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a frame assembly constructed of fourhollow frame members and four corner brackets and enclosing a pair ofdoors.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hollow frame member.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a door sliding in a hollowframe member.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an aquarium for amphibians.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an aquarium for amphibians.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a corner bracket 10 is shown for securing twohollow frame members 12, 14 together. In FIG. 6, the corner bracket 10secures a first hollow frame member 12 to a second hollow frame member14. A corner bracket 10 is also used to secure the first hollow framemember 12 to a fourth hollow frame member 78, to secure the secondhollow frame member 14 to a third hollow frame members 76, and to securethe third hollow frame member 76 to the fourth hollow frame member 78.

The corner bracket 10 can be constructed from various materials known tothose skilled in the art. For example, the corner bracket 10 can beconstructed from aluminum, plastic, a thermoplastic, a compositematerial, fiberglass, nylon, a metal, a metal alloy, steel, a steelalloy, etc. By “nylon” it is meant any of a family of high strength,resilient synthetic polymers containing recurring amide groups. Thesize, overall shape and color of the corner bracket 10 can varydepending on how it will be utilized. For example, if the corner bracket10 is used to construct a small frame assembly, it can be relatively,small in size. If the corner bracket 10 is to be used to construct alarge frame assembly, it should be larger in size and capable ofhandling heavier loads.

The corner bracket 10 includes a hollow base member 16 having a top wall18, four sidewalls 20, 22, 24 and 26 joined to the top wall 18, andhaving an open bottom surface 28. The hollow base member 16 has a heighth, see FIG. 2. A hollow tube 30 is positioned in the hollow base member16, see FIGS. 3 and 5. The hollow tube 30 extends parallel to the heighth. The hollow tube 30 is coincident with two of the four sidewalls 20,22, 24 and 26. In FIG. 3, the hollow tube 30 contacts and occupies aportion of the same space as the sidewalls 20 and 24. The hollow basemember 16 also includes a channel 32 having a pair of parallel walls 34and 36. The hollow tube 30 can function to support a stud (not shown).The stud can be attached to a wheel, a caster wheel or be anchored toanother structure. Each of the pair of parallel walls, 34 and 36 is anextension of two of the four sidewalls 20, 22, 24 and 26. Specifically,the wall 34 is an extension of sidewall 20 and the wall 36 is anextension of sidewall 24. The channel 32 has an open top surface 38 andan open end 40 facing away from the hollow base member 16. Each of theparallel walls, 34 and 36, of the channel 32 serve as a track for asliding door. The channel 32 functions to allow a pair of slidingmembers (doors) to interact therewith without the need to notch, cut,bevel or miter a portion of the hollow frame members 12 and 14 so thatthey can nest with the corner bracket 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, the corner bracket 10 has a width w which ismeasured perpendicularly to the sidewall 20. The width w is distancebetween the sidewall 20 and the sidewall 24. The width w is also thedistance between the pair of walls 34 and 36 of the channel 32. Thewidth w can vary in dimension. The width w should be at least about 0.25inches. Desirably, the width w ranges from between about 0.3 inches toabout 2 inches. More desirably, the width w ranges from between about0.4 inches to about 1.5 inches. Even more desirably, the width w rangesfrom between about 0.5 inches to about 1 inch. Most desirably, the widthw is less than about 1 inch.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the corner bracket 10 also includes a firsthollow coupling member 42 projecting upward from the top wall 18 andbeing integrally formed therewith. Alternatively, the first hollowcoupling member 42 could be secured to the hollow base member 16. Thefirst hollow coupling member 42 has four sidewalls 44, 46, 48 and 50substantially coincident with the four sidewalls 20, 22, 24 and 26 ofthe hollow base member 16. The four sidewalls 44, 46, 48 and 50 create ahollow core 52 in the first hollow coupling member 42 which has an openupper end 54. At least one of the four sidewalls 44, 46, 48 and 50 ofthe first hollow coupling member 42 has a longitudinal groove 56 formedthere through. In FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, two longitudinal grooves 56, 56 areshown. One of the longitudinal grooves 56 is formed in the sidewall 46and the other longitudinal groove 56 is formed in the sidewall 50. Eachof the longitudinal grooves 56, 56 is aligned parallel to the height hof the hollow base member 16 and each of the longitudinal grooves 56, 56terminates at the open upper end 54. Each of the longitudinal grooves56, 56 allows an expandable adhesive 58 placed in the hollow core 52 topass there through and contact an inner periphery of the first hollowframe member 12 and hold the first hollow frame member 12 secure to thecorner bracket 10.

The expandable adhesive 58 can be any expandable adhesive known to thoseskilled in the art. One commercially available expandable adhesive 58 isGORILLA GLUE® which is a registered trademark of Gorilla Glue Companyhaving an office at 4550 Red Bank Expressway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227.

It should be understood that one could use a non-expandable adhesive,glue, a mechanical fastener, an interference fit, or simply pressure tosecure the corner bracket 10 to the first hollow frame member 12.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-5, the corner bracket 10 further includes asecond hollow coupling member 60 having a pair of sidewalls 62 and 64formed integral with and projecting out from one of the four sidewalls20, 22, 24 and 26 of the hollow base member 16. In FIG. 1, the pair ofsidewalls 62 and 64, project out from the sidewall 22. The pair ofsidewalls, 62 and 64, terminates at an end wall 66. The second hollowcoupling member 60 also has a transverse partition 68 aligned parallelwith the end wall 66 and integral with and connecting mid-portions ofthe pair of sidewalls 62 and 64. The pair of sidewalls 62 and 64, extendto and terminate in parallel planes which are normal (at 90 degrees) tothe sidewall 22 of the hollow base member 16. The transverse partition68 creates two cavities 70, 70 into which an expandable adhesive 58 canbe placed. The expandable adhesive 58 will be able to contact an innerperiphery of the second hollow frame member 14 and hold the secondhollow frame member 14 secure to the corner bracket 10.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an optional second partition 72 is shown whichextends horizontally across the second hollow coupling member 60 andintersects with the transverse partition 68. The second partition 72creates two additional cavities 70, 70 in the second hollow couplingmember 60. A total of four cavities 70, 70, 70 and 70 are shown. Thesecond partition 72 reduces the overall sizes of the cavities 70, 70,and also ensures that when an expandable adhesive 58 is placed in eachof the four cavities 70, 70, 70 and 70, that it can only expand outwardand provide a secure attachment with different portions of the innerperiphery of the second hollow frame member 12, 14, 76 or 78.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a frame assembly 74 is shown which includesfirst, second, third and fourth hollow frame members, 12, 14, 76 and 78respectively. All four hollow frame members 12, 14, 76 and 78 areidentical in construction. Each of the four hollow frame members 12, 14,76 and 78 can be constructed from various materials known to thoseskilled in the art. For example, each of the four hollow frame members12, 14, 76 and 78 can be constructed from aluminum, plastic, athermoplastic, a composite material, fiberglass, nylon, a metal, a metalalloy, steel, a steel alloy, etc. Desirably, all four of the hollowframe members 12, 14, 76 and 78 are constructed from the same material,although they do not have to be.

As depicted in FIG. 6, the first and third hollow frame members, 12 and76 are of the same length and are shorter than the second and fourthhollow frame members, 14 and 78 respectively. Likewise, the second andfourth hollow frame members 14 and 78 are of the same length. When allfour of the hollow frame members 12, 14, 76 and 78 are of the samelength, a frame assembly having a square shape is produced. When thefirst and third hollow frame members, 12 and 76 respectively, are eithershorter or longer than the second and fourth hollow frame members, 14and 78 respectively, a frame assembly 74 having a rectangular shape isproduced, as is shown in FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIG. 7, each of the four hollow frame members, 12, 14,76 and 78, has a top wall 80, a bottom wall 82 and a pair of sidewalls84 and 86 joining the top wall 80 to the bottom wall 82 and forming aninner periphery 88. The inner periphery 88 is shown as a rectanglealthough other geometrical shapes can be utilized. A square orrectangular shape is commonly used. A plurality of ribs 90 can be formedon the inner periphery 88 of each of the four hollow frame members 12,14, 76 and 78. Each of the plurality of ribs 90 extends longitudinallythrough each of the four hollow frame members 12, 14, 76 and 78. Theplurality of ribs 90 can vary in size and shape. The plurality of ribs90 are spaced apart from one another and are relatively small in sizehaving a height of less than about 0.15 inches. Desirably, each of theplurality of ribs 90 has a height of less than about 0.10 inches. Theplurality of ribs 90 function to provide a snug and/or tight connectionbetween the corner bracket 10 and the inner periphery 88 of each of thefour hollow frame members 12, 14, 76 and 78. Alternatively, theplurality of ribs 90 could provide an interference fit between thecorner bracket 10 and the inner periphery 88 of each of the four hollowframe members 12, 14, 76 and 78, if desired.

It should be understood that the plurality of ribs 90 could beeliminated, if they are not needed.

Each of the four hollow frame members 12, 14, 76 and 78 has a firstchannel 92 extending upward from the top wall 80. The first channel 92has a pair of spaced apart sidewalls 94 and 96 with an open top surface98 and a pair of open ends 100 and 102. At least one of the sidewalls 94and 96 of the first channel 92, can be an extension of one of the pairof sidewalls 84 and 86 of the four hollow frame members 12, 14, 76 or78. As depicted, the sidewall 94 is an extension of the sidewall 84 andthe sidewall 96 is an extension of the sidewall 86.

Still referring to FIG. 7, each of the hollow frame members 12, 14, 76and 78 has a width w₁. The width w₁ can vary in dimension. The width w₁should be at least about 0.25 inches. Desirably, the width w₁ rangesfrom between about 0.3 inches to about 2 inches. More desirably, thewidth w₁ ranges from between about 0.4 inches to about 1.5 inches. Evenmore desirably, the width w₁ ranges from between about 0.5 inches toabout 1 inch. Most desirably, the width w₁ is less than about 1 inch.The width w₁ of each of the hollow frame members 12, 14, 76 and 78 canbe equal to the width w of the corner bracket 10.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the frame assembly 74 includes four cornerbrackets 10, 10, 10 and 10 each having a hollow base member 16, a topwall 18, four sidewalls 20, 22, 24 and 26 joined to the top wall 18, andhaving an open bottom surface 28. Each of the hollow base members 16 hasa hollow tube 30 positioned therein and having a height h. The hollowtube 30 extends parallel to the height h. The hollow tube 30 can beutilized as was explained above. The hollow base member 16 including achannel 32 having a pair of spaced apart walls 34 and 36. Each of thepair of spaced apart walls 34 and 36 is an extension of two of the foursidewalls 20, 22, 24 and 26. The channel 32 has an open top surface 38and an open end 40 facing away from the hollow base member 16. The openend 40 actually faces away from the sidewall 22 of the corner bracket10. Each of the pair of spaced apart walls 34 and 36 of the channel 32serves as a track for a sliding door which will be more fully discussbelow.

An expandable adhesive 58 can be used to secure each of the four hollowframe members 12, 14, 76 and 78 to the four corner brackets 10, 10, 10and 10.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the frame assembly 74 includes a pair ofdoors 104 and 106. The door 104 is enclosed in a door frame 108 and thedoor 106 is enclosed in a door frame 110. The pair of doors 104 and 106can vary in size, shape and material from which they are constructed.Desirably, each of the pair of doors 104 and 106 is identical in sizeand shape. The doors 104 and 106 can be constructed of glass, PLEXIGLAS,a sheet of acrylic, a transparent material, a solid material, a metalmesh, a wire mesh, a screen, cloth, etc. By a “sheet of acrylic” it ismeant a sheet formed from an acrylic resin. Two rectangular doors 104and 106 of the same size are depicted in FIG. 6. Each of the pair ofdoors 104 and 106 is enclosed in a door frame, 108 and 110 respectively.Desirably, the entire outer periphery of each of the pair of doors 104and 106 is enclosed by one of the door frames 108 and 110. The pair ofdoor frames 108 and 110 is slidably mounted in the frame assembly 74.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the door frames 108 and 110 include an H-shapedmember 112. The H-shaped member 112 has a first channel 114 and anoppositely aligned second channel 116. The first and second channels,114 and 116 respectively, are coaxially aligned. By “coaxial” it ismeant having or mounted on a common axis. The first channel 114 engageswith one of the sidewalls 94 or 96 of one of the hollow frame members12, 14, 76 and 78. The first channel 114 has a width w₂. The width w₂ ofthe first channel 114 can be dimensioned such that the pair of doorframes 108 and 110 can easily slide on one of the sidewalls 94 or 96.Each of the sidewalls 94 and 96 provide a track for the first channels114, 114.

Still referring to FIG. 8, the second channel 116 of the door frame 108supports the door 104 and the second channel 116 of the door frame 110supports the door 106. The door 104 and its frame 108 are identical inconstruction to the door 106 and its frame 110. Each of the pair ofdoors 104 and 106 should snugly and/or tightly fit into its respectivesecond channel 116, 116. No slop should be present between the doors 104or 106 and its respective second channel 116, 116.

The pair of doors 104 and 106 via the door frames, 108 and 110respectively, can slide back and forth between an open position and aclosed position. At least a portion of one door 104 can move or sliderelative to the other door 106 when it is moved between an open positionand a closed position. The actual size of the doors 104 and 106 willdetermine the extent each can travel.

It should be understood that only one sliding door 104 could be used, ifdesired. Likewise, it is possible to construct the frame assembly 74such that the door 106 remains stationary.

Returning to FIGS. 3 and 7, it should be understood that each of thefour corner brackets 10, 10, 10 and 10 has a width w and each of thefour hollow frame members 12, 14, 76 and 78 has a width w₁. The width wof a corner bracket 10 could be equal to the width w₁ of each of thefour hollow frame members 12, 14, 76 or 78. Alternatively, the width wof a corner bracket 10 could be made larger or smaller than the width w₁of each of the four hollow frame members 12, 14, 76 and 78.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, an aquarium 118 for housing anamphibian, lizard or reptile is shown. The aquarium 118 can vary in sizeand shape. The aquarium 118 can be constructed out of various materials,including but not limited to: wood, metal, plastic, a thermoplastic, acomposite material, glass, clear glass, tinted glass, PLEXIGLAS®, atransparent material, sheets of acrylic, a solid opaque material, etc.PLEXIGLAS® is a registered trademark of Rohm and Hass Company having anoffice at Independence mall, West Philadelphia, Pa. 19105. PLEXIGLAS® isa light transparent, weather-resistant thermoplastic.

The aquarium 118 includes a front wall 120, a back wall 122 and a pairof sidewalls 124 and 126, all of which extend upward from a bottom wall128 and are secured thereto. The front wall 120 has a height h₁. Theheight h₁ of the front wall 120 is shorter in height than the back wall122 or the pair of sidewalls 124 and 126. The reason for this is that aframe assembly 74 will be secured to the upper portion of the front wall120 and be secured to the pair of sidewalls 124 and 126 as well.

It should be understood that the aquarium 118 is shown and described asa rectangular cube. However, the aquarium 118 could be constructed withthree or more upstanding sides. The aquarium 118 could have anyimaginable geometrically shape. For example, the aquarium 118 could be apolygon. Likewise, the aquarium 118 could have a round or circularcross-section, a triangular cross-section, a pentagon cross-section, ahexagon cross-section, etc.

Referring to FIG. 8, the aquarium 118 includes the frame assembly 74.The frame assembly 74, as described above, includes four hollow framemembers 12, 14, 76 and 78 each having a top wall 80, a bottom wall 82and a pair of sidewalls 84 and 86 joining the top wall 80 to the bottomwall 82 and forming an inner periphery 88. Each of the four hollow framemembers 12, 14, 76 and 78 has a first channel 92 extending upward fromthe top wall 80. The first channel 92 has a pair of spaced apartsidewalls 94 and 96 with an open top surface 98 and a pair of open ends100 and 102. Each of the pair of spaced apart sidewalls 94 and 96 of thefirst channel 92 serves as a track for one of the door frames 108 and110. The frame assembly 74 also includes four corner brackets 10, 10, 10and 10 each including a hollow base member 16 having a top wall 18, foursidewalls 20, 22, 24 and 26 joined to the top wall 18, and having anopen bottom surface 28. The hollow base member 16 has a hollow tube 30positioned therein and having a height h. The hollow tube 30 extendsparallel to the height h. The hollow base member 16 also includes achannel 32 having a pair of spaced apart walls 34 and 36. Each of thepair of spaced apart walls 34 and 36 is an extension of two of the foursidewalls 12, 14, 76 and 78. As shown in FIG. 1, the wall 34 is anextension of sidewall 20 and the wall 36 is an extension of sidewall 24.The channel 32 also has an open top surface 38 and an open end 40 facingaway from the hollow base member 16. Each of the pair of spaced apartwalls 34 and 36 of the channel 32 serve as a track for one of the doorframes 108 and 110.

It should be understood that the channel 32 is relatively short inlength but it allows one of the pair of door frames 108 and 110 to entertherein, engage and completely seal off any opening between the doorframes 108 or 110 and one of the four hollow frame members 12, 14, 76and 78. This engagement is sufficient in preventing any crickets fromescaping there through.

Still referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the frame assembly 74 also has aperiphery 130, see FIG. 10. A portion of the periphery 130 is secured toboth the front wall 120 and to the pair of sidewalls 124 and 126 to forman enclosure 132, see FIG. 9. The frame assembly 74 can be secured inplace using a chemical bonder such as: glue, an adhesive, a co-adhesive,or by using a mechanical fastener. Desirably, the frame assembly 74 isbonded to the front wall 120 and to the two sidewalls 124 and 126 withglue. The enclosure 132 has an open top 134. A pair of doors 104 and 106is slidably mounted within the frame assembly 74 via the pair of doorframes 108 and 110. Each of the pair of doors frames 108 and 110 has anH-shape, with a first channel 114 which engages with one of the pair ofsidewalls 94 and 96 of the first channel 92 to form a track on which itcan slide. The second channel 116 of the H-shape engages with the actualdoor 104 or 106.

The open top 134 of the enclosure 132 is closed by a cover 136 to formthe amphibian aquarium 118 for an amphibian, a lizard or a reptile. Thecover 136 can be constructed out of a solid material or be a framehaving a material, with a plurality of openings formed therein, attachedto the frame. The cover 136 is designed to allow air and light to passthere through. Various materials can be used to construct the cover 136.When the cover 136 is solid with no openings, it can be constructed ofglass, PLEXIGLAS, a sheet of acrylic, a transparent material, anon-transparent material, wood, metal, plastic, a thermoplastic,fiberglass, a composite material or any other material known to man.When the cover 136 contains a plurality of openings, it can beconstructed of a metal mesh, a wire mesh, a screen, fine netting, cloth,such as cheese cloth, etc. Desirably, the cover 136 is made out of amaterial having a plurality of small openings to allow air to circulatethrough the aquarium 118. The cover 136 is depicted as being removable.However, the cover 136 could be permanently secured to the enclosure132, if desired.

Referring again to FIG. 9, the aquarium 118 for an amphibian, a lizardor a reptile is unique in that it differs from a standard fish aquarium.In the aquarium 118, the front wall 120 contains an upper edge 138. Thismeans that the aquarium 118 can contain a quantity of water but will notbe entirely filled with water. The water level can extend over a portionof or over the entire height h₁ of the front wall 120, up to the upperedge 138. The upper surface of the water should be located below theupper edge 138 of the front wall 120 because the pair of sliding doors104 and 106 is not water tight. Rocks, a man-made platform formed fromplastic or some other material, tree branches, limbs, ropes, netting,dirt, etc. can be added to the aquarium 118 so that the amphibian, alizard or a reptile has a place to lounge and rest when it is out of thewater. For example, a turtle spends a majority of its life in the waterbut has to raise its head above the upper surface of the water in orderto take a breath. The turtle is also accustomed to resting out of thewater if a platform of some sort is provided.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with severalspecific embodiments, it is to be understood that many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this inventionis intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications andvariations which fall within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:
 1. A frame assembly comprising: a) four hollow frame memberseach having a top wall, a bottom wall and a pair of sidewalls joiningsaid top wall to said bottom wall and forming an inner periphery, eachof said four hollow frame members having a first channel extendingupward from said top wall, said first channel having a pair of spacedapart sidewalls with an open top surface and a pair of open ends, andeach of said sidewalls of said first channel being an extension of oneof said pair of sidewalls of said hollow frame member; and b) fourcorner brackets each including a hollow base member having a top wall,four sidewalls joined to said top wall, and having an open bottomsurface, said hollow base member having a hollow tube positioned thereinand having a height, said hollow tube extending parallel to said height,said hollow base member including a channel having a pair of spacedapart walls, each of said pair of spaced apart walls being an extensionof two of said four sidewalls, said channel having an open top surfaceand an open end facing away from said hollow base member, and each ofsaid pair of spaced apart walls of said channel serving as a track for asliding door.
 2. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein an expandableadhesive is used to secure each of said four hollow frame members tosaid four corner brackets.
 3. The frame assembly of claim 1 furtherincluding a pair of doors each enclosed by a door frame which isslidably mounted in said frame assembly.
 4. The frame assembly of claim3 wherein each of said pair of door frames includes a channel whichengages with one of said pair of sidewalls of said first channel of oneof said four hollow frame members.
 5. The frame assembly of claim 4wherein one of said pair of doors can slide past at least a portion ofsaid other door when moved between an open position and a closedposition.
 6. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said fourhollow frame members is formed from aluminum.
 7. The frame assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said frame assembly has a rectangular configuration. 8.The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said four corner bracketshas a width measured perpendicularly across said pair of walls of saidchannel, and each of said four hollow frame members has a width which isequal to said width of each of said four corner brackets.
 9. The frameassembly of claim 1 wherein each of said four hollow frame members has awidth ranging from between about 0.3 inches to about 2 inches.
 10. Theframe assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said four hollow frame membershas a width of at least about 0.5 inches.
 11. A frame assemblycomprising: a) four hollow frame members each having a top wall, abottom wall and a pair of sidewalls joining said top wall to said bottomwall and forming an inner periphery, each of said four hollow framemembers having a first channel extending upward from said top wall, saidfirst channel having a pair of spaced apart sidewalls with an open topsurface and a pair of open ends, and each of said sidewalls of saidfirst channel being an extension of one of said pair of sidewalls ofsaid hollow frame member; and b) four corner brackets each including ahollow base member having a top wall, four sidewalls joined to said topwall, and having an open bottom surface, said hollow base member havinga hollow tube positioned therein and having a height, said hollow tubeextending parallel to said height, said hollow base member including achannel having a pair of spaced apart walls, each of said pair of spacedapart walls being an extension of two of said four sidewalls, saidchannel having an open top surface and an open end facing away from saidhollow base member, and each of said pair of spaced apart walls of saidchannel serving as a track for a sliding door; and c) an expandableadhesive which secures each of said four hollow frame members to saidfour corner brackets.
 12. The frame assembly of claim 11 furtherincluding a pair of doors each enclosed by a door frame which isslidably mounted in said frame assembly.
 13. The frame assembly of claim12 wherein each of said pair of door frames includes a channel whichengages with one of said pair of sidewalls of said first channel of oneof said four hollow frame members.
 14. The frame assembly of claim 13wherein one of said pair of doors can slide past at least a portion ofsaid other door when moved between an open position and a closedposition.
 15. The frame assembly of claim 11 wherein each of said fourhollow frame members is formed from aluminum.
 16. A frame assemblycomprising: a) four hollow frame members each having a top wall, abottom wall and a pair of sidewalls joining said top wall to said bottomwall and forming an inner periphery, each of said four hollow framemembers having a first channel extending upward from said top wall, saidfirst channel having a pair of spaced apart sidewalls with an open topsurface and a pair of open ends, and each of said sidewalls of saidfirst channel being an extension of one of said pair of sidewalls ofsaid hollow frame member; and b) four corner brackets each including ahollow base member having a top wall, four sidewalls joined to said topwall, and having an open bottom surface, said hollow base member havinga hollow tube positioned therein and having a height, said hollow tubeextending parallel to said height, said hollow base member including achannel having a pair of spaced apart walls, each of said pair of spacedapart walls being an extension of two of said four sidewalls, saidchannel having an open top surface and an open end facing away from saidhollow base member, and each of said pair of spaced apart walls of saidchannel serving as a track for a sliding door; and c) each of said fourhollow frame members is formed from aluminum.
 17. The frame assembly ofclaim 16 wherein said frame assembly has a rectangular configuration.18. The frame assembly of claim 16 wherein each of said four cornerbrackets has a width measured perpendicularly across said pair of wallsof said channel, and each of said four hollow frame members has a widthwhich is equal to said width of each of said four corner brackets. 19.The frame assembly of claim 16 wherein each of said four hollow framemembers has a width ranging from between about 0.3 inches to about 2inches.
 20. The frame assembly of claim 16 wherein each of said fourhollow frame members has a width of at least about 0.5 inches.